For One Night, the Lakers Play Like the Warriors

By

Jeremy Gordon

Mar 7, 2016 10:44 am ET

Los Angeles Lakers guard Jordan Clarkson

Associated Press

It’s a sad state of the Los Angeles Lakers when fans and pundits alike are totally stunned by their winning, but it’s true: Sunday’s win over the Golden State Warriors will rate as one of the biggest upsets of all-time, considering where the Lakers have been all season. They’ve struggled desperately to be competitive while giving Kobe Bryant a proper sendoff, but the future might be in sight.

The Lakers had lost nearly as many games as the Warriors had won, which says it all about how futile they’ve been in their post-championship era. But because the Warriors were off their game — Saturday nights in Los Angeles can leave you worn out on Sunday—the Lakers were able to run, taking advantage of Golden State’s rare leaden feel for the ball as they made fewer 3-pointers than they ever have under coach Steve Kerr. The final result as a blowout, another mark against Golden State’s hopes of surpassing the 95-96 Chicago Bulls’ 72-10 record. (They currently sit at 55-6.)